The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is sin???

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter VI
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof

I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit.[1] This their sin, God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.[2]

1. Gen. 3:13; II Cor. 11:3
2. See Chapter V, Section IV

II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God,[3] and so became dead in sin,[4] and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body.[5]

3. Gen. 3:6-8; Rom. 3:23
4. Gen. 2:17; Eph. 2:1-3; see Rom. 5:12
5. Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Titus 1:15; Rom. 3:10-19

III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed;[6] and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.[7]

6. Acts. 17:26; Rom. 5:12, 15-19; I Cor. 15:21-22, 49
7. Psa. 51:5; John 3:6; Gen. 5:3; Job 15:14

IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,[8] and wholly inclined to all evil,[9] do proceed all actual transgressions.[10]

8. Rom. 5:6; 7:18; 8:7; Col. 1:21
9. Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Rom. 3:10-12
10. Matt. 15:19; James 1:14-15; Eph. 2:2-3

V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated;[11] and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.[12]

11. Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 17-18, 21-23; I John 1:8, 10

12. Rom. 7:7-8, 25; Gal. 5:17

VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto,[13] doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner,[14] whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God,[15] and curse of the law,[16] and so made subject to death,[17] with all miseries spiritual,[18] temporal,[19] and eternal.[20]

13. I John 3:4
14. Rom. 2:15; 3:9, 19
15. Eph. 2:3
16. Gal. 3:10
17. Rom. 6:23
18. Eph. 4:18
19. Rom. 8:20; Lam. 3:39
20. Matt. 25:41; II Thess. 1:9

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I just wondered what sin actually is. Is God more concerned with the heart who follows satan (calling that sin) or every single thing we do (all the time) like judging, angry, not acting in faith, lust, drinking, lying, etc.

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Pilgrim already answered your question, but in short ANYTHING that does not bring glory to God ALONE is sin. There are things we should be doing that we do not do (sins of omission) and things we do, but should not do (sins of commission) and it is all sin. We are FAR GREATER sinners than what we may imagine. Even our worst thoughts of our sin only barely border the immense sea of sin we are engulfed in. But, PRAISE GOD, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

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so if we do many things throughout the day (not in faith) and not even thinking about God, is it Sin?

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You are actually asking two separate questions here. To the first, anything not done in faith is a sin. Simply put, if you are doing things which are contrary to the law of God, it is sin. If you do things which you think may be against God's law, i.e., against your own conscience, even that which you are doing is right, it is a sin. (cf. Romans chapter 14 but especially v. 23). I am compelled to also mention that there are some perverted individuals who would teach that it doesn't matter what you do as long as your conscience is free in it. This is blatant Antinomianism and Libertarianism. What Paul is teaching in that chapter concerns "Adiaphora", i.e., "things indifferent". These are things which are good, in and of themselves and not against the Law of God. But there are some who have erred in the scruples and deem that which the Lord has called clean, unclean (sinful), e.g., the drinking of alcohol, dancing of all kinds, all forms of card playing, movies, etc. For those "weaker Christians" to partake of any of these good things which he/she considers sinful (not in faith, i.e., knowing and believing that God has sanctioned them), would be sin.

Now, to your second question as to "not even thinking about God being sinful". It is virtually impossible that one could, never mind should be conscious and mindful of God in every moment of every day in every situation. We are told that everything should be DONE to the glory of God. But we are nowhere to find a statement which would require that every individual thought must be taken up with God. We are finite beings and incapable of focusing ourselves upon more than one or possibly two things at one time. If while driving our car down the street, a young person should run out in front of our vehicle, surely our minds cannot and should not be focused upon God, but upon the task at hand; avoiding hitting the child. We may have a moment, a flash of thought as in prayer asking God to help in that situation, but doubtless our minds would be and should be totally focused upon that particular situation. So, that is but one example of which thousands, perhaps millions more could be given, e.g., doing our expected tasks as employees, doing school homework, etc., etc. Yes, it is well good that our minds gravitate toward the Lord throughout the day, giving Him thanks, asking for guidance, wisdom, blessing, etc., in whatever we do. But this is an entirely different thing than saying that our every waking and even sleeping moment should be filled with thoughts of God. Thus, if you are preparing breakfast for your husband and/or child(ren) and you aren't totally preoccupied with thoughts of God, this is not sin.

In His Grace,

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It's so overwhelming and makes me just want to close my bible and thank God for sending Jesus. Am I making any sense?

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You are making perfect sense to me. A Christian could probably described as suffering from a "bi-polar disorder". On the one hand, one who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit is given a glimpse of God's holiness (cf. Isa. 6:1-5) and also one's own heart condition. (cf. 1Tim 1:15) On the other hand, the Spirit within also testifies to the indescribable grace that has been given in Christ Jesus and rejoices in his/her justification and reconciliation being adopted into His family. (cf. Rom 5:1, 2; 8:1, 31-39; Eph 1:15-23; 1Jh 3:1).

I am of the belief that there is absolutely nothing..... NOTHING that can be thought, felt or done by the most devote saint which is not tainted with sin. Yet, where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Thus, out of a heart of deep gratitude, the Christian lives out his/her life, esteeming the Lord Christ as One most precious and praising God for His matchless mercy and grace to one so undeserving.

1 John 1:8-9 (ASV) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Psalms 73:25-26 (ASV) "Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever."

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What is that verse in psalms that says "God looks down from heaven to see if there are any who want Him and there is none"

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I believe you are referring to Psa. 14 from which Paul expounded upon the total depravity of the human race in Romans 3:9-18.

Psalms 14:1-7 (ASV) <<For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.>> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; There is none that doeth good. Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God. They are all gone aside; they are together become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, And call not upon Jehovah? There were they in great fear; For God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye put to shame the counsel of the poor, Because Jehovah is his refuge. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When Jehovah bringeth back the captivity of his people, Then shall Jacob rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad."

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[color:"blue"]"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." Psalm 14:1-3

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Very true indeed.

In Him,
Chris